The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1887-01-28
NO.2O
AMONG THE MUTEs.
Curious SuperstitiOns and Beliefs Existing
Among the Natives of Alaska.

Curious superstitIons and Beliefs Existing
Among the Natives of Alaska.
A belief in the presence OF evil spirits
constitutes the only religious idea
among the Mutes. There are among
them individuals called tOonrachs, cor
responding to the shaman of the Sibe-
rfan tribes. If person is sick before
the whaling season commences, or a
child is born before going on journey
or building a house, the services Of the
shaman is called into requisitiOn. The
nlodus Operanu in every case is SINH
lar. The shaman, after long spell OF
silence, suddenly begins to roll his
eyes, convulsive shakes prevade his
frame, and he gives utteTance to vaIi-
Gus groans and sighs interTningled with
sentences pertaining to the subject
upon which he is engaged. During the
time of his performance q continuous
beating upon a drum is kept up.
Toward the end paroxysms, or rather
commissions of exultation similar to
what have been described as prevailing
at the finale of a shaker meeting, are
exhibited by the shaman. Froth
exudes from his mouth, his eyes glare
and roll, and his whole frame is con-
torted. Perspiration pours from his
face, and he is entirely exhausted. The
loud invocations to the evil spirits to
vacate the body of the sick person or to
drive them away from the sea to ena-
bic the whales or seals to arrive, be-
come gradually subdued, dying away
into incOherent mutterings. Then
after awhile he regains his composure,
complaeently smokes his pipe, and re-
ceives his pay for services performed.
If the operation is performed over a
sick person and recovery does not en-
sue the payment made Is returned,
custom that might be advantageously
adopted among civilized persons.
Some curious superstitions are also
to be noted. If Il person is sick, iron
tools, such as axes or knives, can not
be used in the house. Upon a mans
grave his sled is placed, but broken to
pieces, and his kyack meets similar
usage. Furs, spears and rifles are also
deposited, while if the individual has
killed many whales the long jawbOnes
of the balaena are placed in an upright
position to mark the spot. Those peO-
pie bury their dead upon the ground,
raising number Of pieces of driftWOOd
in the shape of tent over the remains.
Owing to this insecure mode of burial
the wood soon falls down and affords
entrances to foxes and dogs, which
make havoc with the body But little
regard is paid to the burial places,
although these Mutes are very much
incensed whenever attempts are made
to take away any skulls or bones from
the graveyards. They also make a
long detour in passing the resting place
of the dead, and will on no account
touch any thing once deposited at a
burial.
A wOman's grave has her clothing,
sewing gear and various household
utensils placed upon it. One of the
most peculiar acts l heard of took place
in the month of May, during the
whaling season, at Point Hope. A
woman died and her body was carried
out to the edge of the ice. Three old
women cut her heart out, wrapped it in
Il c0teTing of seal intestines and threw
it into the sea through hole in the foe.
This was done in order to bring good
luck to the catch -Ala8kG Cor. Sun
Francisco Chronicle.